Hell had broken loose in Detroit not too long ago, and the scars from its battle were still fresh. Even so, the air had changed and with it the attitudes of the anti-android protesters. It was difficult to continue to stand on that side of history, when it had been so easily and peacefully defeated as Markus protested, kneeled and sang.

It really had been something, to watch the whole thing play out right in front of his eyes. Allen had been personally teetering between pro- and anti-android sentiments, but his job had led him along the wrong path. In the end, he was glad that President Warren had listened to their pleas for equality and their desperate attempts at cohabitation with humans. Looking back, it was all so very fucked up. But hindsight was 20/20 or so they say, all Allen knew was that he was happy to watch from the sidelines as the androids gained their hard-won independence and began to get paid for their work and seen as something more than a jumbled mess of code and plastic.

There was still uncertainty, and Allen did worry if his job would eventually be wretched from his hands, in favor for a Captain that did not tire, for one that could not make mistakes. It weighed on his mind, and while it affected him greatly he did his best not to dwell on it, lest the what-ifs of the future rip him apart in the present.

Most people would turn to alcohol in a time of uncertainty like this, but he had seen what it could do to a well-adjusted, decorated man. He didn't want to follow Hank's mistakes, so with this new turn for Detroit, Allen found himself turning away from alcohol completely. It was difficult not to give in and have some drinks with the boys, and he would be lying if he said he didn't miss having some sort of vice. Something to fall back on for that sweet relaxation that follows a rush of endorphins.

Drugs were out of the picture, could you imagine? He'd be fired and become the laughingstock of the whole precinct. The thought had crossed his mind, though, but he wasn't about to dwell too much on that, either. Smoking would send him to an early grave, and he wasn't too keen on that, if he was being honest.

Coffee, however, was a vice with a limited list of potential threats and dangers. It was one thing to have a room-temperature cup of joe that had been sitting out in the breakroom for the past 48 hours, but with all these little cafes open on just about every street in Detroit, Allen thought it would be a good use of his time to try a few of them out. Taste something a little gourmet for a change.

He knew that, just like every vice, there was a limit to how much he could consume before it passed the line into a bad habit. One fancy coffee a day, if that, and then whatever he needed to consume to survive work for the day.

It was an added bonus that walking to find new shops to try led Allen around parts of Detroit he normally wouldn't explore. It was more rewarding to go for a walk and happen upon a new shop compared to looking one up on his phone prior to leaving the house for the day, especially on his weekends. Maybe it just itched that primal urge of hunting and gathering in a weird, convoluted way, or maybe Allen was just getting older and needed the structure and normalcy of going for a stroll and watching the people as he did so.

Either way, it was a brisk but sunny Saturday morning. Snow from a storm a few days prior still gathered in the shade, the sun having melted any within its grasp. It was a cozy day to enjoy a warm drink and Allen had just stumbled upon a coffee shop he had yet to try. There were people thoroughly engaged in conversations outside and Allen couldn't help but keep his ears open to the drama that was so far removed from his life.

He always brought his own cup to these niche little shops, in the hope that they had some kind of bring your own, climate-care waste reduction agenda. He had yet to run into a shop that wouldn't take his travel mug and knock a few cents off of his bill in return. While it was nice that doing this helped the environment, it also made sure that the type of coffee he ordered was a secret between him and the baristas--not that he cared too much about strangers knowing his preference for sweet, beige colored coffee, but just in case he ran into somebody who would never let him live it down.

It hadn't happened yet, but there was always a chance with him exploring like this. A chance that he'd walk straight into Hank's neighborhood and get railed for his diminishing masculinity. Or worse, have to stand and take Gavin's full-bodied laugh directly in his face. He could endure black coffee just fine, but if he was paying this much for a cup, he wanted to enjoy every second he had with it.

The inside of the shop was cozy but well-decorated. He immediately felt out of place as the patrons seemed to lean more towards social media-focused young adults than to middle-aged men...but he had already walked in and, god, why were the eyes of the youth so judgmental?

"Just an oat hazelnut mocha, please." Allen chose to ignore the playful look in the barista's eyes as he handed her his travel mug and paid the bill. As she retreated to make his drink, her coworker came up to her and they whispered to one another, tossing glances over their shoulders at Allen.

Yeah, he wasn't going to come back here.

Allen turned his back on the gossiping baristas, passing over the clientele and focusing on the passersby outside. He had been planning on sitting and people-watching inside the coffee shop, but that was out of the question now. He'd have to find somewhere--

Someone passed by the window, someone he had seen die right in front of him not once, but twice. That damn android from the hostage situation, fucker saved the girl by jumping off the roof with the deviant. And then near Hart Plaza he had done it again: plummeted to his death--destruction?--to escape capture.

Connor. It was Connor, no doubt about it. He was wearing what most were on a day like this: a turtleneck layered under a jacket with a hood. He looked different, normal even, but it was still Connor under those 'human clothes'.

He left the shop at once and without a second thought, his tumbler and the coffee it contained forgotten before it had even gotten made. Their time in the hostage situation had been so brief and so long ago at this point, but Allen thought about it often. It felt like it had been the first step to the android uprising, and while that might be too romantic of a thought, it still moved Allen. Even now.

"Connor!" His voice came out much as it had when Connor took the step back to evade them on that roof; gruff and desperate. Connor stopped and was quick to turn on his heel, tilting his head to the side with a blank look in his eye. Allen instinctively tilted his head in reply to Connor, stopping an arm's length away from him on the sidewalk.

"Hello." Connor's LED flashed yellow for a moment before he furrowed his eyebrows. "Do I know you?"

Allen pursed his lips, accentuating his panic to find some words for his reply with a sniff. "Yeah. I mean, you did once. Maybe twice."

Connor tilted his head to the other side, quizzical and confused. "I'm sorry," His customer service voice was cut off by a gruff bark from his side. "Sumo! Sorry. I promise I didn't forget about you."

"I can walk and talk." Allen let his held breath out with his words, throwing his hand up in an 'it's okay' gesture. He stayed on the opposite side of Connor, glancing down and towards his giant dog a few times before speaking up again. "So, you've got your freedom. And the very first thing you do is get a pet?"

"Sumo's not my pet. Hank lets me walk him sometimes." Connor's eyes stayed on Sumo as he replied. There was something very moving about the loving innocence in them. Despite Sumo's eagerness to walk quickly, Connor kept him at a slow pace--maybe for Allen's sake.

"Huh. Guy's got a dog?"

"Not for long."

Allen quickly looked from the sidewalk before them to Connor's eyes, surprised by the deadpan joke and the smirk on his lips. He sniffed before looking away and back, allowing Connor's smile to spread to him as well. "Oh, so what? I'm watching a live kidnapping?"

"Maybe." The word played off Connor's lips so slyly, so gently. No ill-intent settled there, and yet Allen wasn't fully sure he was joking. "The way you said my name." Connor paused for a second, his eyes wandering away from Allen as he gathered the words to continue, saying them slowly and deliberately. "It reminded me of something. Something I can't quite remember. You knew my predecessor?"

"Two of them."

"Two?" Connor snapped his head to the side to squint his eyes at Allen. "Sometimes details get lost in a memory transfer. I would think if you had been important enough to run into me twice I would have been able to retain at least a bit of that."

Allen chuckled. "Ouch." Connor had a flash of panic in his eyes that Allen attempted to wave off. "I was just involved in the police force. SWAT Captain Allen, nothing special. Watched you jump off a building, Connor. Twice. It'd be hard to forget you."

Connor was silent for a moment, his eyes falling down to Sumo, his lips parted every so slightly. "That must have been difficult for you." His words seethed with something almost hostile, volatile. "I'm sorry, Captain."

Allen sniffed, looking away from whatever Connor was hiding in his eyes, focusing on the sidewalk before them. "Just don't go doing it again, alright?"

He felt Connor's gaze on him but he didn't dare glance over. He was emotional at heart, even if his job didn't really cater to those who were. "I have no intention on jumping off any more roofs, Captain." Connor's words were slow again, as if he had to choose each one from a predetermined list. Maybe that's how androids worked, he wasn't sure of the details.

Silence fell over them as they walked, only broken by Sumo's gentle panting and the sounds of the world around them. For a moment Allen diverted back to his anti-android ways, asking himself what he was doing staying and talking with this fucking android that literately did not know him? He could walk away right now with no consequence. There were no feelings to hurt. But he found that he didn't really want to, android or not. He felt like he was taking a stroll with an old friend. He didn't know anything about Connor, really, but there was something comforting in knowing that he was okay, even if it wasn't the same 'him'.

"I did a lot of things during the Revolution I didn't want to do. I don't remember most of them. I'm...I'm deviant now. Or free, maybe. I'm sorry, but I think the Connor you knew died within my last predecessor. I'm different now." Connor stopped walking, looking up at Allen with an expression that echoed his tone; full of regret and sadness.

Allen stopped alongside him, watching him for a silent moment before reaching a supportive hand out to clasp onto Connor's shoulder. He opened his mouth to speak but his voice caught at the horrible look Connor was giving him. The depth of despair in his eyes ran deep, deeper than he thought most people would be capable of. His heart ached but he couldn't look away. This look was undeniably the same Connor had given him as he stepped off the roof, the same haunting look of self-hatred and indignation. Connor wore this look now for different reasons, maybe, but maybe not.

"I hope you can find peace in it." Allen's willpower to hold Connor's eye contact was crushed the second his words left his lips, and he looked away at nothing in particular. With a firm squeeze of Connor's shoulder, he continued. "It'll be hard, but hating yourself wholeheartedly is kind of a human thing, Connor. You've got to learn to deal with it or learn to move past it." He took his hand back with a sniff, again attempting to mask his emotion. "It's good to have people around you who struggle with it, too, though. Makes it easier."

Connor said nothing, so Allen chanced a glance at his utterly confused face, deciding that Connor might need some clarification on his last point. He looked away, opening his mouth to answer but only taking in a deeper breath as he chose his words a second time, a third. "I've yet to find my own peace. For the part I've played."

"But Captain," Connor looked at him with innocent, clueless eyes masking the raw emotion he had just seen in them, "you were only following orders."

Allen shot a puff of air from his nose, not quite a laugh but not only a breath, either. An awkward in-between to keep his emotions in check. "And what makes you think you're any different?" He stood there, shifting his gaze from Connor to anywhere else but him a few times, trying to allow him the time to process that information in a meaningful way. Poor guy had been so brainwashed, Allen thought, that even now he couldn't see the forest for the trees.

"Captain, I..." Connor never continued with his sentence, and Allen had given him the attention and ample time to.

"It's fine to call me Allen. Especially when the vest's off."

"Allen..." Connor kept trailing off in a dreamy way, as if he was barely latching onto anything they were talking about. Allen was sure that wasn't the case--at least, he hoped it wasn't. "Thank you." The gentle words took Allen by surprise. He was happy to know he helped, and a smile played on his lips as he reached for Connor's shoulder once again. He clasped it once, then squeezed as Connor's smile greeted him.

"Anytime. We might have to make a habit out of this." Allen felt another pang in his heart as Connor let out a gentle chuckle and agreed under his breath, but this one was much different than before. The pain of their shared agony was still there, but something seemed to sprout from it. Allen felt pressured from deep within him to pull Connor close, and he did. He wrapped his arms around him and gave him a tight hug, finding himself slightly surprised in how soft and how solid Connor felt. It was nice, really, holding him. "I want to get to know you, if that's something you'd be alright with."

No reply came from Connor, but he hugged him back in return and that was answer enough for Allen. They embraced for a moment, Allen fully enjoying the weight of another person so close to him. Android or not, he supposed. He would have happily stayed, ignoring the others around them, had Sumo not scared them both with a well-timed bark.

Connor let go of Allen and moved to kneel to Sumo, giving him a hug that was punctuated with another bark. "Sumo's right."

"...Is he? I don't speak dog, Connor." Allen couldn't help but chuckle at the grave and serious look in Connor's eyes.

"We're going to have to run all this by Hank first." Allen laughed again, prompting Connor to shake his head as they continued walking. "This isn't a joke, Allen. I don't know why you're laughing: he needs to know. Sumo's involved!"

They only got a few steps before a voice called out behind them. "Excuse me, Sir!" Allen instinctively turned on his heel, his eyebrows furrowing, questioning the racket. The barista from the coffee shop came to a stop an arm's-length away, an embarrassed smile on her lips. She passed Allen's forgotten tumbler in her hands before holding it out to him. "You left without your drink."

Allen was dumbfounded and, at first, contemplated if he had even entered a coffee shop today. Of course he had, so he reached and took his drink from her, a humorless laugh passing through his lips. "Shit. Yeah, sorry about that. Thanks."

She stood for a moment before nodding, her eyes darting back and forth between Allen and Connor. She turned before stopping once again and looking back at them over her shoulder. "We have outdoor seating available, you know. I think there's a table for you two!"

Allen, who had already turned back to Connor, was caught off guard by her words. He nodded a few times, glancing at her before looking at Connor. Out of the corner of his eye he watched her hesitant steps, and he couldn't help but feel even more embarrassed about the situation. What wrong idea was she getting?

"I'll sit with you. After all, you walked with me."

Connor's words forced another laugh from Allen's lips as he gestured with his coffee in hand. His words left him for a moment, but only a moment. "I'll buy you a coffee."

"Oh no, Allen," Connor started to walk back towards where the barista had disappeared, as if he knew where he was going. Maybe he did. Sumo was happy to follow at his heels. "Androids don't eat, drink...consume anything, really."

Allen sighed, following him much like the giant dog was. "Yeah, I get that." His tone betrayed the annoyance he felt at Connor immediately shooting his gesture down. "But can you?"

Connor pondered for a moment, slowing his steps to fall behind Allen. Maybe he hadn't known the way, after all. "I don't think it would hurt, no, but what would the point be?"

Allen shrugged, tilting his head to the side to catch Connor's eye. "To enjoy something? Try something new, maybe, I don't know." Connor thought this over a little longer. Allen watched as a smile grew on Connor's face, forcing himself to avert his eyes before his heart skipped a beat. Cyberlife really knew what they were fucking doing.

"Sure. But if I don't like it," Allen glanced at Connor to catch his steady finger pointing threateningly at him, much as he's seen Hank do. "I'm going to give it to you."

"Do you even think you'll be able to taste it?"

Connor let out a drawn out 'hmm', causing Allen to cover his immediate chuckle up with a slight cough and a sniff. "Well, I think maybe I could. My sample database could probably be put to use as a flavor detector, of sorts."

Allen eyed him over his shoulder, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Then we have a deal. If you don't like the taste you can hand it off to me." He paused as they neared the shop, an empty table indeed waiting just for them. "What sounds good to you? Something sweet or something bitter?"

Connor tilted his head to the side. Allen found it comical but he knew better than to laugh. "I can't comprehend what those flavors are, Allen. I've never tasted anything; not in that way, at least." The pure confusion in Connor's eyes over such a simple question was almost too much to handle.

"Alright, it's fine. I'll pick something for you to try." Allen glanced from Connor to Sumo, then to the table. "Why don't you wait out here, save my seat for me? I'll be back in a moment." Leaning to the table, Allen deposited his tumbler and offered a reassuring nod to Connor. His eyes lit in understanding as he pulled out a chair and sat, reaching to coax Sumo closer and to give him some love and attention.

Allen watched him lean down and give Sumo some kisses, receiving some back in return. He paused there for longer than he should have, smiling at the look of pure joy on Connor's face before heading back into the dim yet well-decorated shop. He was immediately met with the bright, excited eyes of the two baristas, and he was immediately filled with the need to run away. Fight or flight was something that he thought had died within him during all his years as a SWAT Captain, but here it was, invoked by the knowing gaze of the previous generation.

Sniffing and clearing his throat, Allen placed his hands on the counter for physical and emotional support. "Just a small latte this time." The barista nodded and grabbed a to-go cup to write the simple order down.

The coworker she had gossiped with about him when he first walked in quickly stepped up behind her, his red hair falling from its place and obscuring his vision ever so slightly. It only seemed to accentuate the LED burning on his right temple, shining through the shadows of his bangs. His eyes, green and blue, flickered with a genuine happiness that was hard to find in anyone, let alone an android. "Are the two of you on a date?"

The question caught Allen wholly off-guard and he froze with his hand on the register mid-payment. The human barista turned to her android coworker, hissing his name in a panicked yet embarrassed tone. "Jerry! You can't just ask them that!"

The android named Jerry did not falter in his smile and simply shrugged his shoulders. "You said you wanted to know." The woman brought her fingertips to her temples, her cheeks blazing red.

"I am so sorry about him. M-malfunction, or something." She was quick to take the cup and run off to make his drink, her words trembling with varying emotion. "Jerry--I swear--" The threat was empty and did not wipe the smile off the android's face.

"An android-human relationship is not something to be embarrassed about." Allen found himself speechless, as if this android was reading his bare soul. "Many of us were made to facilitate a perfect relationship. As long as both are equals within it, there's nothing wrong with pursuing an android--or having one pursue you!"

Allen shook his head, his words finally finding him. "No. No, no. You've got the wrong idea. We're just...acquaintances. Old coworkers." The happiness disappeared from the android's eyes, his face dropping as he leaned on his hands on the counter between them.

"Oh, surely not!"

"Sorry, that's just not how it is between us." Allen glanced back to Connor who was outside, still happily receiving kisses from Sumo. He lost his bearings while watching him, having to be brought back to the world around him by the barista leaning and patting his arm.

"Maybe not yet, it seems. Give it some time!"

Allen furrowed his eyebrows at him, sniffing in self-defense as Jerry grinned once again. The other barista's voice rang out over the machinery, catching both Allen and Jerry's attention. "We thought you were going to come back, y'know. Who just up and leaves the store without their drink--in their own cup, no less?"

Allen shifted, taking a deep breath to stifle his nerves. "I hadn't seen him since before the revolution." There was a pause as he forced himself not to look in Connor's direction. "I wasn't sure he had made it out safely." Allen bit his tongue as it wished to share more to these absolute strangers, to share about how he had watched this man die twice and the thought that he had come back after the first constantly nagged his mind after he had experienced the second. By the expecting look in the baristas' eyes, he was sure it was obvious he was biting his tongue. "I'm just glad to see him again." He knew he wasn't helping his case with such emotional words, but the silence wasn't doing any good either.

The woman came over to the counter and handed Allen Connor's drink, a sly smile on her face. "If you two need anything, just let us know." He took it with no words, nodding once before turning to the door. He ignored their gentle words as he turned, and caught the closing door on his hand, guiding it to shut gently behind him.

As he approached, Connor looked up at him and quickly stood, pulling the chair out more as he did so. "I...saved your seat." Connor's words were slow, his eyebrows raised as if explaining something simple to a child. "Like you had asked."

Connor stepped away from the seat and sat down in the one opposite it, Allen's bewildered eyes following him carefully. He felt like he was being patronized, but he knew Connor meant well. With a sniff he sat in the pre-warmed seat, placing the coffee on Connor's side and sliding his own tumbler onto his.

He watched Connor, still petting and giving Sumo all his attention and felt jealousy for the first time in a long while. He fumbled with the lid of his coffee before taking a sip, the sweet chocolate flavors only making him feel a little better. Not that the coffee wasn't decent enough, its sweetness was merely overshadowed by his suddenly bitter mood. He knew he was being unfair, so he bit his tongue once more and just watched Connor, waiting for him to notice so that they could chat.

About what, he wasn't sure. They had already touched on some pretty serious topics, but something in him--his weak heart, probably--wanted to speak pleasantries. When Connor did look up and their eyes met, Allen blurted the first thing that played on his mind. "How are you getting by? You're not still with DPD, right?"

Connor leaned his arms on the table in front of them, avoiding (or ignoring) the coffee completely. "I wouldn't step back in that building if my life depended on it, Allen." His words were soft yet husky with emotion while his eyes made it all too obvious that this question had fallen into the 'serious' category and was not the 'pleasantry' that Allen had intended it to be. "Hank..." Connor cleared his throat, purging the emotions from his voice and bringing the flitter of light back to his eyes. "Hank says I'm his responsibility. I feel like he's mine, though. It's..." Connor stopped leaning in his seat, straightening up and placing his fingertips on the lid of the coffee before him. He was choosing his words carefully, it seemed. "It's difficult, sometimes. He has a tendency to over-indulge and--well, I shouldn't speak of his personal afflictions. He's a handful but I'm happy to be there for him."

"He needs structured support in his life." Allen's words came out carefully as he tried to read for any deeper meanings behind Connor's words. "Surprised he found it in an android."

"Sumo helps too." And just like that, Allen had lost Connor's attention once again. He rolled his eyes despite his better judgment, but it didn't matter anyway because Connor was focused on Hank's dog again.

"Connor," The quick snap of Connor's eyes up to his and the innocence within them swiftly tossed his harsh tone aside. "Try your coffee before it gets too cold."

Connor smiled, taking the cup within both of his hands. "Does that change the flavor?"

Relieved to have Connor's attention, Allen brought his tumbler to his lips, pausing to speak before taking a drink. "It can."

Connor gripped his cup, and Allen was under the impression that he was hesitating, that he was anxious to try it. There was no question about the signs of stress and anxiety that plagued him: the darting of his tongue over his lip, the intense stare-down of the cup, the tight grasp that it sat within. There was no reason for him to act this way, as if taking a sip of coffee was life or death. Allen really didn't care if he left it and never tried it, but when he went to articulate this, Connor moved.

The action of Connor trying the coffee was fast and jerky, as if he had watched Hank take one too many shots straight from the bottle. It was endearing nonetheless, and brought a smile to Allen's face. He raised his eyebrows at Connor as he placed the cup down with a thud--much like a bottle of scotch--watching with anticipation as Connor pressed his fingertips to his lips and furrowed his brows.

Ah, he didn't like it.

"So?" Allen watched as Connor evaded his eyes, shaking his head and speaking quickly against his hand.

"I liked it. Very, uh. Well, it had a taste. I think." Connor's words were so panicked, Allen had to laugh. The pure shock and betrayal in Connor's eyes made him chuckle harder, leaning back in his chair as he brought his palm down on the table, a satisfying metal thud accentuating his laughter.

"Connor--" Allen straightened up in his seat, shaking his head at Connor's furrowed eyebrows and serious look. "It's okay if you don't like it."

Connor avoided his eyes, tilting his head at the cup before him before placing his hands around it again. "I didn't enjoy it, no." He spoke slowly, taking the cup and pressing it towards Allen.

Allen reached and plucked it from his grip, taking his tumbler with his free hand and swapping it out for the cup he had just stolen. Connor looked wholly confused, gripping the tumbler and passing it between his hands. He reached for the lid and slid it open, tilting it toward himself slightly to peer inside.

"It's coffee too, just a different flavor." Allen leaned on his elbows, ready for Connor to hate this one too. Maybe he was a tea kind of guy. Connor brought the drink to his lips and took a hesitant sip, his eyes shut tight in anticipation of a flavor that didn't agree with him. The moment his lips touched the mouthpiece Allen knew he was in trouble; the fleeting immature thought of an indirect kiss was so sudden and so overwhelming that he had to straighten up, putting some distance between them.

Connor pondered the flavor for a moment before taking another sip, this one more resembling the swig he had watched him take before. He placed the cup down with gusto, as before, but this time he had a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eye. The dog laying against his chair looked up for a moment before laying his head back down on his paws. "That's more pleasant, I think. Although the sugar content is pretty high." Connor trailed off, contemplating, before catching Allen's eye. "Do you drink these often?"

"Daily." Allen brought the bitter drink in his hand to his mouth--once again hit with thoughts of Connor's lips--wincing at the flavor but drinking it nonetheless.

"You know prolonged high sugar intake is detrimental to your health." It wasn't a question but a piercing statement, almost hostile in nature just like the look in his eye.

"Sure do."

Connor sighed and slumped in his seat, relaxing his hands to hold the base of the tumbler--not quite letting it go. "I feel like all you humans ever do is the opposite of what you should. Do you all really have suicidal tendencies? Or is that just a cop thing?"

Allen shook his head, feeling like Connor kind of hit the nail straight on the head but denying it nonetheless. "It's nice to have something to enjoy everyday."

"But does it have to be something that can kill you? You'd have more days to live and find safer things to enjoy." Connor moved the tumbler to the side, leaning closer to Allen and commanding his eyes. "There's no reason to live like your life might end tomorrow."

Allen sighed, closing his eyes for some inner peace. How'd they get off the topic of pleasantries, again? He opened his eyes and reached for Connor's hand, placing his on top in an attempt to thwart the counselor-patient dynamic that hung in the air. He gripped, raising his eyebrows at Connor and speaking slowly. "Whatever answer I give you, you won't like. Let's leave the complexities of human mental health to the professionals."

"Well, Allen, it just so happens--"

"Connor." A warning. "You are not my therapist." With a sigh, Connor slumped in his chair once again, a pout very evident on his face. Allen smiled at him, snaking his fingertips around the side of Connor's hand and pressing them against his palm. He watched Connor's eyes wander to their hands, watched him tilt his head ever so slightly, the loose hair of his bangs making every stray movement very obvious.

Connor took his free hand and removed Allen's hand from his, quickly entwining their fingers before Allen could take his hand back. He kept his gaze on their hands before focusing on Allen's confused eyes. Allen felt a chill run quickly up his spine as the hand within his changed shape and texture--as Connor removed his outer, human, skin.

His cool, smooth hand warmed quickly between them and Allen ran his thumb up and down the area between his pointer finger and thumb. It was such a strange feeling, yet an intimate one.

"Connor..." He looked from their hands to Connor's gentle smile, confusion plaguing him. Connor held up his other hand, resting his elbow on the table and retracting the skin. Allen reached before thinking too much about it, allowing Connor to weave their fingers together. Connor's smile spread to him, somehow, and he felt his bewilderment melt away.

Allen enjoyed the moment, holding hands with this android like some girl in high school might do with her crush. It was nice, really, but he was sure the baristas behind them had their eyes glued to the window: he could just tell they were being watched. It was embarrassing, but oh well.

being watched. It was embarrassing, but oh well.

"Thank you, Connor." He knew that Connor had been trying to get closer with him, show him support, and all-in-all it was a sweet and kind gesture. He was sure Connor knew the implications of holding hands--especially like this--so he didn't mention them. Allen kept his eyes trained on his, his mouth open as he went to say words that had immediately melted away.

Connor closed his eyes, his LED flashing yellow. It piqued Allen's interest but he still couldn't find his words over his heart pounding in his throat. What exactly was going on in that android mind of his?

Connor gripped his hands tighter before his LED turned back to its normal, blue hue. He opened his eyes and hitched his eyebrows at Allen, panic playing within them.

Allen lamented the warmth of Connor's hands as they retreated back to his side of the table. Connor looked from Sumo to Allen before standing up and grabbing Sumo's leash. "I've been gone too long. Hank sent me a text."

"A text?" Allen hadn't seen him reach for his phone.

Sumo barked as he stood up, wagging his tail in excitement at the concept of a second walk. "He's worried that I lost Sumo. Or something. He can send messages directly to my internal interface. It's quite useful, actually." Connor shook his head, and Allen bit his tongue as Connor reached and picked up the tumbler to take with him. He'd get it back somehow, he thought. He'd let the guy enjoy his drink on the way home.

"Damn, well. It was nice to talk to you again." Allen could barely hide the disappointment in his voice as he stood up. He reached for Connor and grabbed his shoulder, patting it twice before his emotions got the better of him and he pulled him into a hug. "Promise I'll run into you again?"

Connor breathed out against him, squeezing him and subsequently flaring up Allen's emotional side once more. He sniffed in response to it, wholly unprepared for the gentle and fleeting voice Connor spoke with next. "I'll make sure of it. Can we meet up here again?"

Allen nodded into Connor, patting his back. "Yeah." He cleared the emotions from his throat before continuing again. "Same time? Next week?"

"Please."

"You got it." Allen tightened his arms around him before pulling away, lingering his hand on his shoulder once more. "See you then, Connor. Stay safe." He glanced down at Sumo, who was impatiently awaiting to return to his owner. "You too, Sumo."

Sumo barked in response, eliciting a smile from Allen. He removed his hand from Connor, waving as Connor refused to break their eye contact. He stepped backwards in order to keep it for a moment longer, a sad smile on his face. "Bye Allen!" He waved once before turning on his heels and jogging back home with Sumo.

As Allen sat down to finish his dreadfully bitter coffee, he pondered what exactly he was getting himself into. His heart pounded at the thought of a second meeting, and his cheeks flushed at the mere thought of it being 'a date'.